Course 3, Chapter 11: Christianity established. — Third and fourth Perseciu tions. — First and second Centuries

1. How was the church attacked after the persecution of Domitian?

After the persecution of Domitian, the church was attacked by the spirit of party; the devil, seeing that he could not conquer the church by causing her children to be put to death, endeavored to divide them; a contest arose among the faithful at Corinth; but the Pope, St. Clement, wrote them a letter, which restored union, at that time so necessary to the church, as another persecution was approaching.

2. What persecution?

The persecution of Trajan. This emperor, <riven;ip to the most shameful vices, hated the Christians, whose holy lives were a constant censure upon his own. Having arrived at Antioch, he ordered all the Christians to sacrifice to the gods, under pain of death, and caused St. Ignatius to be apprehended.

3. Who was St. Ignatius?

St. Ignatius, disciple of St. John, was bishop of Antioch for forty years; he was carried before the emperor, who ordered him to be transported to Rome, to be devoured by wild beasts at the public shows, for the amusement of the people.

4. What did he do during his voyage?

On his voyage, he saw at Smyrna, St. Polycarp, who was also a disciple of St. John; he saw, also, many other bishops, who had come to tender him the good wishes of their churches. From Smyrna, he wrote to the faithful at Rome, to entreat them not to ask for his life, neither from men nor by their prayers from God.

5. What kind of martyrdom did he suffer?

Having arrived at Rome on the 20th of December, the saint was immediately conducted to the am phitheatre, where two lions rushing upon him devoured him in an instant: his bones were gathered up in great respect, and carried back to Antioch in triumph.

6. What was the end of Trajan V

Trajan died miserably at a premature age, worn out by his shameful vices. Thus perished all the persecutors of the Christians; their deplorable end. which shows us that men cannot, with impunity, rebel, against Jesus Christ, contributed to the establishment of his church, by teaching men to fear him.

7. Who was the fourth persecutor of the Christians?

A The fourth persecutor of the Christians was Adrian; he had succeeded Trajan in the 114th year after Christ; he was a cruel, superstitious, and profligate prince; having consulted the demons, they re plied that a certain widow, named Symphorosa, was tormenting them unceasingly?

8. What did the tyrant do?

The tyrant caused Symphorosa to appear before

him. She had seven sons, Christians, like herself; her

husband, and her brother-in-law, officers in the army

of the emperor, had already suffered aiartyrdam.

270 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

Adrian ordered her to sacrifice to the gods; she refused, and the tyrant put her and her seven sons to death.

9. Did any one undertake the dei'ence of the Christians?

Quadratus, bishop of Athens, and Aristides, an Athenian philosopher, presented to the emperor, a defence of the Christians. Adrian was convinced of the injustice of his course, and the persecution ceased. Nevertheless, the wrath of God fell heavily upon him; a prey to grievous melancholy, he caused himself to be put to death.